I know I said I'd
stop apologizing for the length of time between updates, but this is my
first one since last November. My only excuse is that life takes over.
So much has been happening since November. I've decided to begin writing
the update, get as far as I can, post it, and leave the rest for another
time.

First, I'll tell you
about some recent and upcoming events, and then move on to other topics:

In mid-February I
delivered a keynote address at the regional conference of SNAP
(Survivors Network of those Abused By Priests). I was impressed
by all the people I met there, and their dedication to understanding,
healing, and reclaiming power. Topics addressed were widespread, and not
limited to the Catholic Church. The talks by leaders of the organization,
Barbara Blaine and David Clohessy, were
right on target - no punches pulled. Perhaps the most emotional part of
the conference was a panel of relatives of people murdered by priests
and nuns. I was honored to be asked to address this group, and look forward
to participating in their National Conference in Washington, DC,
July 20-22. For more information about the July conference, see:
http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_conferences/WashDC_2007/preview_announcement.htm

I just returned from
a month Down Under, doing male survivor workshops and professional trainings
in Melbourne and Perth, Australia and Christchurch, New Zealand. As I
expected, I met many interesting, powerful people and reconnected with
a number of old friends and colleagues. But the events greatly exceeded
my expectations. Here are some highlights:

Melbourne,
Victoria:

The trip began with
a residential weekend for male survivors held in a town
called Maldon in rural Victoria (the bush, in Australian parlance). 25
men attended the weekend, the first residential event I've done in Australia.
As in other such events, the participants were from a wide range of backgrounds,
native countries, ethnicities, and abuse histories. They traveled to Victoria
from all over Australia. They all displayed astonishing courage, creativity,
and humanity - and, as usual, many were surprised at how much fun was
had in the midst of the difficult, emotional work of healing. I'm not
the only one looking forward to future weekend workshops in "Oz".

The men's workshop
was followed by a day long training for professionals
held in Melbourne. About 70 people attended, including counselors, staff
of sexual assault centers, medical personnel, teachers, student, and police.
The quality of those attending and the level of their experience and commitment
left me with high hopes for the future of services for male survivors
in Australia.

The Melbourne events
and the trip as a whole were primarily organized by Maxwell Clarke
and Carolyn Worth of SECASA (South East Centre
Against Sexual Assault) - http://www.secasa.com.au/
They pulled off a minor miracle in getting this trip to happen despite
many obstacles along the way. These special people have my deepest thanks
and love.

After the training,
Carolyn (the manager of SECASA) suggested the possibility of making this
trip an annual event - and Max volunteered to organize
it. We also discussed the possibility of offering a version of Healing
the Healers, the residential workshop/retreat for people
who work with trauma survivors (that we held in the UK the past
three summers). I'm more than ready to do it. If anyone in Australia or
New Zealand wants to sign on to help or to organize something in their
area, contact Max at Maxwell.Clarke@southernhealth.org.au
or Carolyn at Carolyn.Worth@southernhealth.org.au

It's not too soon
to be thinking about 2008 - it takes time and planning to create a successful
workshop or training.

Christchurch,
New Zealand:

The day after the
Melbourne training I flew over to New Zealand to participate in the celebration
of the 10th anniversary of Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Trust
(MSSAT), the primary organization for male survivors in that
country ( http://www.survivor.org.nz/
). The weekend consisted of a day long conference, an anniversary dinner
dance, and a day long male survivor workshop. Ken Clearwater,
the manager of MSSAT, and his colleague John Prince hosted
an impressive international gathering that was also a lot of fun.

In addition to my
talk, the Conference featured a keynote by Werner
Tschan, MD of Basel, Switzerland, an engaging and illuminating
presenter. Further international presence was added by Steve Bevan
of Survivors Swindon (United Kingdom). Steve is a pioneer
in the development of services and advocacy for male survivors in the
UK. ( http://www.survivorsswindon.com/
). Ken was inundated by well-deserved messages of support and appreciation
from all over the world. It would be even better if he didn't have to
struggle so hard for recognition in his own country - but Ken is a force
of nature, and not one to be deterred by a challenge.

18 men attended the
male survivor workshop. It proved once again how much
healing can be accomplished in just a day - when people are dedicated
to recovery and humanity.

Due to a number of
glitches, the Western Australia part of the trip almost didn't happen.
But the eleventh hour participation of Elizabeth Sachse
of Trauma and Stress Specialists Centre (TASSC) - http://www.tassc.com.au/
- and the Western Australia chapter of the Australasian Society
for Traumatic Stress Studies (ASTSS) - http://www.astss.org.au/site/
- (with the support of Phil Drayson and Prem
Tej Sacha) - pulled it off brilliantly. I am in awe of what Elizabeth
accomplished in such a short time.The Perth events included a day long
male survivor workshop and a professional development day.

The professional
training, held on the campus of the University of Western Australia
was similar in tone and energy to the Melbourne training - highly experienced
and dedicated professionals. I also had some of the flavor of Christchurch:
Ken Clearwater and Steve Bevan also traveled to Perth to lend their support
and skills to the events. Their contributions were consistently excellent
and relevant. The international support network of survivors and their
allies continues to grow and strengthen.

The men's
workshop the next day drew 16 participants ranging in age from
21-69, and from many parts of the country, and as with the Melbourne weekend,
there was great diversity among the participants. The event recharged
the energy of the Perth male survivor support group, and I look forward
to hearing great things from them.

As in Melbourne and
Christchurch, there is talk of repeating the events in Western Australia,
perhaps with the addition of a residential male survivors weekend. Anyone
interested in helping to organize or support future events in W.A. can
contact Elizabeth at elizabeth.sachse@tassc.com.au
or Philat pdrayson@glc.com.au
or Prem Tej at premtej@bigpond.net.au
.

Despite massive jet
lag and the amount of work that accumulated during my absence, I'm looking
forward to returning to this wonderful part of the world.

Plans are well underway
for the two professional trainings in Pennsylvania (in May)
sponsored by Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR)
and our 17th annual male survivor weekend (in August)
at Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center in Bangor, Pennsylvania.
See the Events page for details of these and other events.

Although there will
not be a Healing the Healers Retreat in England this
summer, there is still possibility that I will be there in early August
for a 4th annual Victims No Longer Male Survivor Weekend.
Steve Bevan and his colleagues have applied for funding for the project.
I'll let you know as soon as it is determined. If you know of sources
of funding, contact Steve at: malesurvivors@gmail.com

Earlier this year
male survivor Curtis St. John showed his work as part
of an exhibition at the Neuberger Museum of Art, Purchase
College, State University of New York. As part of his presentation he
wrote:

“I’m the
happiest person I know
With the help of Family, Friends, and others like me I’ve become
the person I was meant to be
In 2001 I stepped out of the shadows where I was stigmatized into silence
and onto the path of recovery
From 1979 – 2001 I was in pain and didn’t know why I couldn’t
be happy
I was sexually abused when I was ten
But now I’m the happiest person I know”

Please remember that
one out of four men were sexually abused before the age of sixteen, so
if you know or work with more then four guys this issue affects you. Recovery
is possible, and if you know anyone who may benefit from seeing these
pictures, please pass them on.
Cheers!Curtis St. John
President Elect MaleSurvivor: NOMSVhttp://www.malesurvivor.org/index.htm

What Ever
It Takes, God by John Oarc (2006 - Bloomington,
IN: AuthorHouse).

The film is Locked,
a Juli C. Lasselle film (Mandorla Pictures, Los Angeles,
CA). It is described as "the courageous, personal journey of Anna;
who is locked in her history, her memories, and her silence... story of
one woman's struggle to tell the truth about her childhood and live freely
in the present".

I did get to read
Stuart Howarth's remarkable memoir, Please, Daddy,
No (2006 - London: Harper Element). It is not an easy book to
read. Much of it is raw and painful, but it offers hope for survivors
and is well worth reading. Stuart is an amazing individual. I was pleased
to see six copies of this book in a book shop in Perth, Australia. Perhaps
people are starting to pay attention.

And another book and
film that lots of male survivors have mentioned to me is Mysterious
Skin. It's well worth reading and viewing. The book is by Scott
Heim and the film is an excellent adaptation of his novel, and
is available on dvd.

Speaking of Perth,
if you are in the neighborhood, there is a powerful exhibition at the
Art Gallery of Western Australia. Called Raised
by Wolves, it features many artists' representations of abuse
and interpersonal/family violence. I suggest that you not visit this exhibition
alone, but if you see it, it will stay with you.

That's all I have
time for now. Please continue to take care of yourself.